Automatic weighing-machine.



'PATENTED AUG. 11, 1908.

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MACHINE;

AUTOMATIC WEIGHINTQ:

3 SHEETS-SHEET APPLICATION FILED SE WITNESSES:

' ATTORNEY- JW {105 BY I I ATTORNEY.

INN-895,524. v PATENTED AUG. 11, 1908. T7 7 T. R.WEYANT.

AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE- APPLIGATION FILED SEPT. 21, 1908.

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WITNESSES T. R. WEYANT.

AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION nun sn1 *r.27,19os.

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' ATTORNEY YATENTED AUG. 11, 1908- a THOMAS HOMER WEYANT, OF NEW YORK, Y. i

AUTOMATIC WEIGHING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 11, 1908,

. Application filed September 27, 1906. Serial No. 336,426.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, THOMAS Roman WVEY- ANT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic lVeighing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in automatic weighing machines and is especially well adapted for use where it is desired, rapidlyand accurately, to weigh with one machine diflerent substances in quantities varying considerably in amount. For exam )le, a machine which will weigh ounces with satisfactory accuracy and speed, while it might weigh 5 pounds or upwards with satisfactory accuracy, would not ordinarily weigh such amounts with suflicicnt speed for commercial pur )oses.

By the use oi my invention, I can weigh small uantities with accuracy and can also weigh arge quantities with equal accuracy and with a proximately the same speed. My )referrec method of accomplishing this result is to have not only what- I may call adrip stream coming from the hopper to the scale pan, but also a main stream, the extent of which can preferably be regulated to a predetermined degree. Preferably also these main streams can be used or shut off at will. In such a construction, I prefer to have what may be described as the drip stream sufficiently small to deliver the substance which is being weighed with sufficient slowness ,to permit the weighing device to actuate the closing device or valve,

which controls the drip stream, with sulli cient rapidity to get the accuracy commercially necessaryfor the particular product to be weighed. ously use the main stream and the drip stream to deliver to the scale pan rapidly a little less than the entire amount to be weighed. Then I cut off the main stream and continue the dri stream to complete the entire weight. what weight is desired, one of the tests of highest eiliciency is to deliver the required weight within the limit of accuracy set by the trade, and with the greatest possible; rapidity. I believev the best manner of ae- Y complishing this result is to have two streams, first the drip stream, and second, the main; to have each of these streams ad ust- In this case I simultane- Ubvionsly, no matter;

able at will to a predetermined extent; to provide means for automatically cutting off proportion of the total weight desiredhas een delivered to the scale pan; and ,finally to rovide automatic means for switching or def ecting the drip stream from the scale pan to which it has been delivering to an other scale pan immediately upon the delivery to the first of the total weight desired; Furthermore, where two scale pans are used, as is always preferable, it is desirable to have two main streams automatically conscale pan being in operativean receiving mg thereto.

Of course, precaution must be taken to in the possibility of too much material being de ivered to either scale pan; second, for disreasonable rapidity; third, for preventing the possibility of either the drip stream or the main stream commencing to deliver to either scale pan until after the same has disoperative receiving position; and, fourth, for automatically bringing the scale pan to a closed or upright or other proper position for' receiving a load promptly after discharging the preceding load. v

I will now describe a preferred form of my invention which I have illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, and in which,

machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a 1 vertical transverse section of the feed cham her and a controlling valve or deflector taken on line 22 of Fig. 3; Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the drip and'main feed chambers, the deflectors and their operat-ing devices being shown in elevation and 3 the deflectors being in opposite'position to that shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view representing electrical connections and wiring; Fig. 5 is a plan view illustrating the preferred form of circuit controlling devices, etc. Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on theline 66 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken at right angles to Fig. 6 and on the line 77 of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a,

2 plan View of a detail.

the main stream when any predeternnned.

trolled so that immediately" 11 on either osition, its main stream will start deliverprovide automatic means, first, for preventcharging the contents of each scale pan with charged its preceding load and returned to Figure l is a side elevation of a weighing Y .the hopper, provided with a flange!) connect-ed by bolts or screws or any other suitable meansto a flange (Z on the upper end of the delivery chamber D.

E designates a handle connected vi 1th a suitable valve or controlling device E working ina slit E for the purpose of-closing and also controlling the passage from the hopper to the deliverychamber. This valve may be of any suitable kind, although I refer that illustrated in my earlier application, Serial No. 323,672, tiled June 27th, i906. As shown in Fig. 3, the delivery chamhe is divided into two compartments D and D by a vertical transverse partition d. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, each of these compartments is, at its lower portion, divided into two chutes by means of the triangular partition (1' extending longitudinally from end to end of the feed chamber D.

The compartment D", which is the main feed compartment, is divided by a triangular shaped partition (1 at its lower part into two chutes D and D The compartmcnt D, which is a drip feed compartment is also divided by a triangular shaped partition (1 into two chutes similar to the chutes D and D. In the drawings, however, only one of these chutes is shown and marked D. It will, however, be understood that a similar chute will be in line with the chute D.

Each of the delivery chutes of each of the delivery compartments is automatically controlled and as shown by centrally arranged valves or deflectors FF -1 controlling the chutes of chamber D and F the chutes of chamber D.

The deflector F is rigidly secured to and oscillates with a shaft f to the outer end of which is secured an armature H which is moved backward and forward by two double magnets, indicated by S and S respectively. The deflector F is rigidly secured to another shaft f, to the outer end of which is rigidly secured another armature H controlled by another set of two double magnets S and S. The method of arranging both ofthese sets of double magnets is the same in the particular form illustratedone double magnet of each set being secured in any suitable manner on one side of the shaft carrying a' deflector and an armature, and the other double magnet of each set on the opposite side of the shaft. Obviously, whenever the deflector for the main chamber D is in one position or pulled over by the double magnet S', the main delivery chute Dtwill be opened and D closed. When attracted and held closed to the double. magnet S the osition wiil be reversed and the delivery 0 nite D open and D closed as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The. samestatement applies to drip com partme'nt D, the delivery chute D being opened when the armature is drawn and held against the double magnet S and closed when against the magnet S. By means of electrical connections which I will describe later on, each and all of these double magnets is energized whenever the circuit containing the same is closed and furthermore is normally always energized in the sense that the circuits including the opposing magnets are oft-en simultaneouslyenergized, whereas only one of the same is ever broken at the same time. Consequently, it is the denergizing of one of the opposing magnets which causes the movement of the armature and deflector and not the energizing thereof. To'put it differently, both magnets, being energized and one of them becoming suddenly deenergized, owing to a sudden breaking of its circuit, the other magnet exercises its influence unopposed and actuates the deflector.

Turning now to the scales or weighing ape paratus M designates a suitable support of any suitable character, on which is mounted a platform m on which are mounted or an ported two or more scales or suitable weig 1- ing apparatus. Only one weighing apparatus is illustrated in detail, but two are indicated in the diagrammatic view, Fig. 4. Each weighing apparatus being a substantial duplicate of the other, a description of one is sufficient. As shown N designates a standard carrying a balance beam n on one end of which is mounted a scale pan P and on the other a weight platform B. As shown 12, designates an extension of the balance beam or an extension otherwise suitably secured to the weight platform end of the balance beam, and carrying a piece of insulation 11*. Arranged near the outer end a of this extension is an armature H. Mount-ed at the outer end of the extension n is a lever arm n pivoted at the point a and carrying a contact pencil C for making and breaking contact with two carbon plates or pencils 0 This contact maker and breaker C controls the circuit for energizing the magnet 8*. On the other scale (not shown) a similar lever arm 11 carries a similar carbon pencil C cooperating with the contact plates 0 to control the mag net S. On the extension n of each scale 1s arranged a screw n adapted to be screwed u and down and to project downwards throug i said extension to coact with the inner end of the lever arm n to limit the movement thereof, independent of the extension n. In other words, it will depend upon how far this screw 'n" projects below the under surface of the ex tension n as to how much upward movement the extension n and the weight platform would have before lifting the contact C or C to break its respective circuit. As it is the 895,524 a I i i 3 tively, that denergiz es the magnets S and S respectiveh it is obvious that the precise point of the downward movement of the scale pan by which the circuit will be broken, will depend upon the adjustment of these screws 71. I

I will now describe the electrical circuits for connecting and operating the devices just described.

Line 100 de ignates a connecting wire leadmg from any suitable source of supply and also connecting with the point 101 which may be a binding post connected with the resistance R. Line 102 may be a continuation of line 100 connecting the same to one end of resistance coil R from which leads the line 103 to a binding post or other suitable con nection 104 on a bus bar R From this bar line 105 leads to the contact maker and breaker C and line 106 to the contact maker and breaker 0*. From C line 107 leads to the magnet S and through the same and then by line 109 to the bus bar N from which the line 11 1 leads back to the main switch 500 to the negative line 10G and thence back to the source of sup ly. From the other contact 0 the line 108 eads to the magnet S through which the current parses to the line 110 and thence to the bus bar N from which the current passes as above stated to the line 111 and t re main switch 590 to the negative line 100. Obviously the magnets S and S will always be energized except-in when one of the contacts C and C respectively, controlling the same is broken. Furthermore if the screws a are driven down sufiiciently far to cause the lever arm n to start upward, simul taneously with the extension 12, then the contact will be broken practically immediately upon the scale )an starting to descend. As

a result the de cctor F of the main delivery chamber D" will immediately be actuated upon the slightest movement of the scale pan. On theother hand by loosening the screw a somewhatthe circuit will not be broken until the scale pan has descended somewhat further because the pivotal connection between the lever arm a and the extension n allows the extension n to move independently untii the lever arm a has rocked on its ivot and engaged the screw a fleet-or need not be actuated until the scale pan has movement downwards to a variable degree, depending u on the adjustment of the screw n. I wili point out theprecise utility of this arrangement in my description of the general operation of the device.

I will now describe the means for operating the deflector F in the drip-feed chamber D. As before described, the movement of this deflector is controlled by magnets S S.

Referring now to Fi s. 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8, it-

non-conducting material is supported by bracket-s 15 upon the table m.

Consequent y, the de-v table 15 are supported two sets of devices for indicate pests secured to the table 15, each having at its upper end an adjustable screw.

Thesecon- V 2, having conical inner end 2*. ical ends 2* serve as pivots for trunnions 3 extending from opposite sides of a lever 3. The lever is provided with an annular portion 5 from which extends a )a-ir of spring arms 9, 9, ada ited to receive etween them a carbon pencii 7 serves to draw said arms toward each other to clamp said carbon contact between them. A pin 4 is journaled in the annular portion 5 of the lever 3 and from said pina rod 4 depends down to within a short distance of the insulation 11 on the extension 72. of the scale beam. 10-10 indicate carbon pencils, slidably supported in supports 11 on the table 15'. These carbon pencils 10 may be held in adjusted position by clamping plates 12 and set screws 12.. The carbon pencils 10 form the terminals of conducting wires which may be connected to them in any suitable mar ner. As shown clearly in F ig. 7 the pencils 8 and the pencils 10 have beveled surfaces which cooperate to insure a good contact.

, or contact 8, and a set screw Upon the table 15 is also'supported two magnets S and S adapted when energized to attract the armat-ures H upon the respective scale beams, so soon as said armatures are brought within their magnetic fields by the upward movement of the respective scale beams. As before stated, the circuit making devic sfor the respective magnets S and b are alike, theonc specifically described being for magnet- S In the devices for magnet S the cont act pencils are marked 8 and. 10 for 195 the sake of distinction. The magnet S is in the same circuit as the magnet S", and the magnet S in the same circuit as magnet S- I will now describe the circuit for magnets S and S, referring to Fig. 4. the main line 100 passes through resistance R, to line 120, bus bar R line 121, bus bar R, line 122, through magnet S, line 1224, cont acts 10%S10, line 125, through magnet S line 126 main switch 500 to negative 5 main line 1003. 1

The circuit for magnets S and S". Current from the niaindine 100 passes tl1rough resistance R to line .120, bus bar R line 130,

contacts 10 8 10 line 131, magnet S", 12;

line 132 throu h ma net S line 133, main j o 1, switch out) to negative mam line 100.

The operation of this part of the apparatus is as follows: With the circuits closed as shown in Fig. 4, the ma nets S, S and b are 25 C energized and the deflectors F and F are in f posit-ion to discharge both the (hi stream will be seen that a mine 15 of slate, or other and the main stream into scale pan 'hen sufficient materlal has been recelved bv the Current from Upon the scale pan P to cause it to begin to descend, 130

the circuit will at-a broken a c'. As be fore stated, theextent of downward movement of the scale'pan'necessary to break the.

circuit at C may be regulated by the screw n". In the event the material or commodity being welghted 1s freedlowmg and heavy proportionately to its bulk, as for example, shot or rice, the circuit should be broken at C directly the scale pan starts to move downwardly, and consequently the screw n should be in engagementwith the lever n to cause the extension n and the lever to start to move simultaneously. With lighter and more bulky materials, however, such as oatmeal, the extension 12 may be ermitted to move a short distance indepenrently of the lever n, and the extent of such independent movement will be regulated, as before stated, by the screw n.

While the magnet S will be energized the armature H is so arranged in relation thereto that it will not be attracted thereby until the extension n has moved up beyond a point necessary to break the circuit at C and thereby permit the deflector F to be pulled over by magnet S and so shut off the main stream to the scale stream is shut off t 1e drip stream will still flow into the scale pan P until the extension n moves up sufficiently to bring the armature within the magnetic field of the magnet S and then the extension will be drawn up rapidly by the magnet S, engage the rod 4 and thereby break the circuit for the magnets S and S at 8. Of course, when the circuit was broken at C the deflector was moved to cause the main stream to flow into the scale pan P, and as soon as the circuit for magnet S is broken the deflector F will be moved to direct the drip stream also into scale pan P. In Fig. 4, scale Jan P is supposed to be clischargmg its loa but as soon as a scale pan is em tied the weighton its balance beam will e evate it and this will close its circuits through both its main and dri stream controlling magnets.

will now describe a referred form of discharge controlling mec ianism for the scale pans.

As shown in Fig. 1, p indicates a swinging bottom or door for the scale pan P, secured at its upper edge to a shaft 12 journaled in thesides of the scale pan P. A lever T is secured to the shaft 1) and projects outwardly therefrom: The lever has a threaded portion on which is a weight t. The arts are to be so pro ortioned that the weig ted lever will somewiat more than counterbalance the swinging door and therefore normally hold the door closed. When material is in the scale, however, its pressure on the bottom will tend to open the door and it is therefore necessary to provide means for detachably locking the door in closed position. As

an P. After the main shown, I provide a lever arm T secured toshaf p outside the pan and extending downwar ly at substantially-a right angle to lever T. f A latch V is pivoted between its ends on the side of the scale pan and is provided with a hooked end to engage the end of lever T and thereby lock the door against 0 ening. The other end of the latch is provide with a plate 1: in the path of movement of the core 1; of a solenoid S and this end of the latch is heaviest and normally holds the hooked end in en a ement with the lever arm T.

o v ii hen the so lenoid S is deenergized its core n will fall by gravity nd may be sup orted in any suitable manner. is energized its core will move upwardly and strike the plate 0 and thereby dlsengagethe When the so enoid latch V and lever arm T and thus permit the door p to open and discharge the load from scale an I. Preferably a stop u will be )rovi ed to limit the movement of the latch. t is, of course, necessary that the solenoid shall not o erate until the scale pan has received its complete load. To accomplish this, I prefetably connect a contact X to the scale beam 72. near the scale pan P ada )ted to engage contacts 23-2: when the sea e pan reaches its lowest point and thereby close a circuit through the solenoid S This circuit is shown'in Fig.4 as follows: from main supply wire lOU tolresistance R, line 103, bus bar R line HO, contacts x-X-:c, line 141, throu h solenoid coils to line 142, line 111 to mam switch 500 and negative line 100. As soon therefore as the scale pan has received its full load and descended, a-circuit will be closed through the solenoid S and the door 1) released.

Similar devices are of course employed for Instead of having the core 1; of the solenoid project downwardly through the coils of the solenoid S as shown in Fig. 1, the upper portion of said core may be of non-magnetic material in which case said core nee not extend below the coils.

'ithout limiting myself to the precise details of construction illustrated and described, I claim I. In an automatic weighing machine, the combination with two scales, of two feed chambers each having two delivery spouts,

a deflector in each chamber for deflecting the Y v -pendent feed chambers each having two devery spouts, one spout from each chamber discharging into one scale pan, and the other of said spouts discharging into the other scale pan, a deflector in each chamber for deflectin the llow of material through its spouts alernately, and means operated by the movement of the scales for independ ently controlling the deflectors.

3. In an automatic weighing machine, the combination with two scales, of a drip feed chamber and a main feed chamber, each of said chambers having two delivery spouts, a deflect-or in each chamber for deflecting the flow of material through its spouts alternately, and means operated by the move ment of the scale for moving the deflector in the main feed chamber, and other means operated by the movement of the scale pan for moving the deflect-or in the drip feed chamber.

In an automatic wei hing machine, the combination with two sca es, of a main feed chamber having two delivery spouts, a drip feed chamber having two delivery spouts, one spout of each chamber discharging into one scale pan, and the other spout of each chamber dlscl'iargins into the other scale pan, a deflector in each chamber for deflecting the flow of material from its spouts alternately, and electro magn tic devices controlled by the movement of the respective scales for first cont-rolling its main feed and subsequently its drip feed.

5. In an automatic wei hing machine, the combination with two smiles, of a main feed chamber having two delivery spouts, a drip feed chamber having two delivery spouts, one spout of each chamber discharging into one scale pan, and the other spout of each-- chamber discharging into the other scale pan, :1 deflector in each chamber for deflecting the flow of material through its spouts alternately, eleetro magnetic devices controlled by the movement of the .respective scale beams for filst controlling the main feed to its scale pan and subsequently its drip feed, and other electro magnetic devices for acceleratin the movement of the ,scale beam to control the drip feed.

6. In an automatic weighing machine the combination with two scales, of a main feed chamber having two delivery spouts, a drip feed chamber having two delivery'spouts, one spout of each chamber cischa-rging into one scale pan, and the other s out of each chamber discharging into the ot ier scale pan, :1 deflector in each chamber for deflecting the flow of material through its spouts alternately,- electro magnetic devices controlled by the movement of the respective scale beams for first controlling the main feed to its scale an and subsequently its drip feed, other electromagnetic devices for accelerating the movement of the scale beam to control the drip feed, and mechanical devices for varying the interval between the action of i the electro-1nagnctic devices which control the main feed, and that of the electro-mag- 'netie devices which control the drip feed.

7. In an automatic weighing machine, the combination with two scales,-of a main feed chamber having two deliveryspouts, a drip feed chamber having two delivery spouts, one spout of each chamber discharging into one scale pan and the other smut of each chamber dischar ing into the other scale ian a deflector in each chamber for deflecting the flow of material through the spouts alternately, electro-magnctie devices controlled.

by tnc'movement of the respective scale beams for first controlling the main feed to its scale pan and subsequently its drip feed, and mechanical devices for varying the interval between the action of the electro-magnetic devices which control the main feed and. that of the eleetroanagnetic devices which control the drip feed. 4

8. In an automatic weighing machine, the combination with a scale beam having a scale pan at one end and aweight at the other, of a hopper having a spout to discharge into the scale pan, a valve for control ling the discharge from the spout, an electric motor for operating the valve, separated contacts included in the motor circuit, a.

lever pivotally connected to the weight end of the scale beam and carrying a contact for engaging the circuit contacts, and adjustable means for varying the movement of the scale beam relatively to said lever.

9. In an automatic weighing machine, the

combination with a scale beam having a scale pan at one end and a weight at the other, of a hopper having a spout to discharge into the scale pan, a valve for controlling the discharge from the spout, an electric motor for operating the valve, separated contacts included in the motor circuit, an

arm extending from the weight end of the scale beam, a lever pivoted between its ends to said arm, a contact carried by one end of the lever for engaging the circuit contacts, and an adjustable device on said arm to engage the other end of the lever for varying the movement of the scale beam relatively to said lever.

10. In an automatic weighing machine, the combination of a scale pan having a pivoted bottom, a weighted lever normally tendin to hold the bottom closed, an arm connecte to said bottom to move with it, a )ivoted latch engaging said arm to hold the ottom h in closed position, a solenoid included in a In witnezs whereof, I have signed my normally open circuit and having a core 1 name to the foregcng specification in the ada mad when the solenoid is energized, to presence of two subscribing witnesses. stri 'e said latch and permit the bottom to 5 open andmeans controlled by the movement of the scale pan for closing the solenoid circuit.

Witnesses:

H. R. BAUER, WM. \Y. ROBERTS.

THQMAS HOMER WEYANTQ, 

